Appointees get large glimpse of Academy life

Air Force Academy Cadet 4th Class Douglas Johnston of Cadet Squadron 28 helps Trevor Cutler of Mission Viejo, Calif., at the Academy's boot and shoe warehouse during Class of 2014 orientation Monday. Orientation introduces appointees to a picture of life at the Academy and allows them to ask questions about the Academy experience. (U.S. Air Force photo/Mike Kaplan)

Appointees get large glimpse of Academy life

Air Force Academy cadets help Class of 2014 appointees at the boot and shoe warehouse during orientation at the Academy April 19, 2010. Orientation introduces appointees to a picture of life at the Academy and allows them to ask questions about the Academy experience. (U.S. Air Force photo/Mike Kaplan)

Lacrosse player nominated for Senior Class Awards

Cadet 1st Class Ridge Flick is one of the finalists in the 2010 Senior Class Awards. Cadet Flick, an attacker with the Air Force Falcons lacrosse team, was named the team's offensive MVP in 2009 and is the 2010 season team captain. (U.S. Air Force photo courtesy of Cadet Wing Media)

Cadets take 1st, 3rd at international LOAC competitions

Cadet 1st Class Charlton Coats works with his Swiss teammate, Capt. Mathias Ledermann, at an international service academy Law of Armed Conflict competition in San Remo, Italy, during spring break. Cadet Coats won the top individual award and the best mixed team award for his work with Captain Ledermann on their mock country, St. Cibard (Photo by Patrizia di Pietro)

Cadets kick off Alternative Spring Break

Cadet 4th Class Kristin Cromwell assembles a wall frame for a Habitat for Humanity project in Bryan, Texas, March 23, 2010. Cadet Cromwell was among a group of cadets who volunteered to build homes as part of the Air Force Academy's Alternative Spring Break program. (U.S. Air Force photo/John Van Winkle)

Cadets kick off Alternative Spring Break

Cadet 2nd Class Paola Gavilanes from Cadet Squadron 24 hammers a nail into a section of wall frame as part of an Alternative Spring Break project March 23, 2010, in Bryan, Texas. (U.S. Air Force photo/John Van Winkle)

Cadets kick off Alternative Spring Break

Cadet 3rd Class Sarah Sauter of Cadet Squadron 16 and Cadet 2nd Class Bridget Flatley of CS 37 work in muddy terrain while building a house as part of a Habitat for Humanity project March 22, 2010, in Victoria, Texas. (U.S. Air Force photo/John Van Winkle)

Cadets kick off Alternative Spring Break

Cadets 3rd Class Patrick Day (right) and Courtney Pinkerton pass boards along a human conveyor belt from a shipping vehicle to a house as part of a Habitat for Humanity project in Victoria, Texas, March 22, 2010. The cadets volunteered as part of Alternative Spring Break, one of the Air Force Academy's Cadet Service Learning programs. Cadets Day and Pinkerton are assigned to Cadet Squadrons 31 and 37, respectively. (U.S. Air Force photo/John Van Winkle)

Cadets kick off Alternative Spring Break

Cadets from the Air Force Academy lift the west wall of a home during a Habitat for Humanity project in Victoria, Texas, March 22, 2010. Cadets volunteered for the project as part of the Academy's Alternative Spring Break program. (U.S. Air Force photo/John Van Winkle)

Cadets kick off Alternative Spring Break

Cadet 3rd Class Courtney Pinkerton (front) and Cadet 2nd Class Bridget Flatley pass boards along a human conveyor belt from a shipping vehicle to a house as part of a Habitat for Humanity project in Victoria, Texas, March 22, 2010. The project is one of several undertaken by cadets as part of Alternative Spring Break. The cadets are assigned to Cadet Squadron 37. (U.S. Air Force photo/John Van Winkle)

Class of 2013: 'Recognition granted'

Cadets take a break during the Run to the Rock at the Air Force Academy March 13, 2010. The Run to the Rock consists of fourth- and first-class cadets running in formation to Cathedral Rock, allowing freshmen to reflect on Recognition and seniors to reflect on their overall Academy experience. (U.S. Air Force photo/Mike Kaplan)

Class of 2013: 'Recognition granted'

Cadets 2nd Class Jennifer Walters and Lacey Richardson, along with others from Cadet Squadron 18, salute Cadet 4th Class Dan Derby during Recognition at the Air Force Academy March 13, 2010. The prop and wings on the left lapel of Cadet Derby?s service dress uniform indicate that he has been accepted as an upperclassman at the Academy after several grueling days of physical, mental and military exercises. For more on Recognition, see pages 10-11. (U.S. Air Force photo/Mike Kaplan)

Recognition 2010

Cadets 4th Class Matthew Schuetz, Caleb Belden and William Hicks respond to Cadet Cadre while doing push-ups as part of Recognition March 12. The cadets are assigned to Cadet Squadron 18. (U.S. Air Force photo/Rachel Boettcher)

Recognition 2010

Cadet 4th Class Curtis Widener of Cadet Squadron 31 helps lift his squadron's charger above his head during recognition March 12.

Class of 2013: 'Recognition granted'

Cadet 4th Class Ava Tamosuinas of Cadet Squadron 19 participates in the assault course during Recognition at the U.S. Air Force Academy's Cadet Field House March 12, 2010. Recognition consists of several days of mentally and physically demanding activities and culminates with the ascension of the freshmen into the ranks of upper-class cadets. (U.S. Air Force photo/Mike Kaplan)

Class of 2013: 'Recognition granted'

Cadets ceremonially fold the American flag during retreat at the U.S. Air Force Academy March 11, 2010. Retreat is one of the first events of Recognition, which comprises a three-day battery of mental, physical and military education. (U.S. Air Force photo/Mike Kaplan)

Recognition Days

Cadet freshmen Matthew Schuetz, Caleb Belden, and William Hicks of Cadet Squadron 18 recite information about the F-15 Eagle while performing push-ups during Recognition at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., March 12, 2010. Recognition is the final event before the freshmen cadets are welcomed into the ranks of the upper class cadets. (U.S. Air Force photo/Rachel Boettcher)

Recognition Days

Cadet freshmen members of Cadet Squadron 18 participate in Recognition events at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., March 12, 2010. Recognition consists of several days of physical and mental challenges, and culminates with the freshmen's ascension into the ranks of the upper class cadets. (U.S. Air Force photo/Rachel Boettcher)

Recognition Days

Cadet freshman Curtis Widener of Cadet Squadron 31 helps to lift his squadron's Charge above his head during Recognition Days at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., March 12, 2010. At the end of the several day-long events, the freshmen will be welcomed into the ranks of the upper class cadets. (U.S. Air Force photo/Rachel Boettcher)

Recognition Days

Cadet senior Zack Bartsch directs freshmen members of Cadet Squadron 31 on how to handle their charge during Recognition Days at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., March 12, 2010. Recognition consists of several days of mentally and physically demanding activities, and culminates with the ascension of the freshmen into the ranks of upper class cadets. (U.S. Air Force photo/Rachel Boettcher)

Class of 2013: 'Recognition granted'

Cadet 4th Class Carly Serratore receives encouragement during Recognition events at the Air Force Academy's Cadet Field House March 12, 2010. Recognition consists of several days of mentally and physically demanding activities and culminates with the ascension of the freshmen into the ranks of upper-class cadets. Cadet Serratore is the daughter of Air Force hockey head coach Frank Serratore. (Air Force Photo/Mike Kaplan)

Class of 2013: 'Recognition granted'

Cadet 4th Class Wesley Cobb of Cadet Squadron 02 stands at attention with his classmates during Recognition at the Air Force Academy March 12, 2010. Recognition is a series of military, physical and mental training that culminates with freshmen receiving upperclassman status. (U.S. Air Force photo/Bill Evans)

Cadets test fire FalconLaunch-8 rocket

Cadet 1st Class Stephen Renner prepares FalconLaunch-8 for test firing in Jacks Valley Jan. 15, 2010. The FalconLaunch program provides the Air Force and Department of Defense with a cost-efficient, operationally responsive method of delivering small scientific and engineering payloads into low-Earth orbit. (U.S. Air Force photo/Johnny Wilson)

Cadet Squadron 06 acts to help Haiti Earthquake victims

Members of Cadet Squadron 06 hold an auction Jan. 19, 2010, to raise money for Haiti relief efforts. The auction raised more than $2,000, which the squadron will donate to a Combined Federal Campaign-approved relief fund. (U.S. Air Force photo)